Convertible pen-playhouse



July 25, 1944. s. 1.. DENNIS CONVERTIBLE PEN-PLAYHOUSE Filed Sep t'. 18, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 S. L. DENNIS CONVERTIBLE PEN- PLAYHOUSE July 25, 1944.

Filed Sept. 18, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 SL.,De n 72 2'5 354;

flu'mw d July 25, 1944. s. L. DENNIS CONVERTIBLE PEN-PLAYHOUSE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 18, 1941 6/ v SL1 9 117? 2'5 July 25, 1944. s DENNls 2,354,202

CONVERTIBLE PEN-PLAYHOUSE Filed Sept. 18, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 T P52 /Z6 I y 1 s. L. DENNIS CONVERTIBLE PEN-PLAYHOUSE 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 18, 1941 arm 0W SLDQ Patented July 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT o-FF csl CONVERTIBLZ IZZIZ PLAYHOUSE Application September 18, 1941, Serial No. 411,425

7 Claims. (01. 20 2 This invention relates to a combined playpen and playhouse.

An object of this invention is to provide a combined playpen and playhouse which is constructed to simulate at least a portion of a log cabin.

Another object of this invention is to provide a playpen and playhouse wherein the front and rear walls thereof'may be formed from slabswhich are ordinarily waste lumber.

A further object of this invention is to provide a structure of this kind which may initially be erected as a playpen andplayhouse, and which may be subsequently converted into only a playhouse.

A further object of this invention is to-provide a structure of this kind which may be manufactured at a 10W cost and which may be constructed in wall sections which may be put together by an inexperienced mechanic or carpenter.

A further object of this invention is to provide a structure of this kind which may be placed at any convenient location in a yard and which may or may not be provided with a closed roof, the structure being provided with longitudinal rafters on which a fabric or other covering may be optionally placed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a structure of this kind which may be contracted from a combined playpen and playhouse to only a playhouse, and which is so constructed that the lumber taken out during the conversion of the structure may be used in fitting in certain portions of the playhouse, so that very little if any additional lumber will be required to make the conversion.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail front elevation partly broken away of a combined playpen and playhouse constructed according to an embodiment ofthis invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2'-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3' is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the structure converted into a playhouse,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the device,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the l ne 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of a slightly modified form of this invention,

Figur '7 is a detail side elevation of another modification of this invention,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 7,

Figure 9' is a vertical section through the com bined playpen and playhouse shown in Figures 7 and 8 with the structure converted into a playhouse, and

Figur 10 is a fragmentary vertical section-ofthe playhouse showing the vertical walls thereof formed as solid walls.

Referring to the drawings, andfirst to Figures l to 5'inc1usive, the numerals l5 and I6 designate generally the front and rear playhouse walls, and the numerals I! and I8 designate generally the side walls of the house. The front wall I5 includes a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced apart log simulating weather boards or side members It]. The side or weather board members I9 are formed with an arcuateouter face 20, which may have the bark of the tree mounted thereon, the siding or weather board members I!) being formed from slabs which are cut from th log of the tree at the time thelog is being cut up into boards or other lumber.

At the present time the slabs which are out from the logs are cut into relativelyshort lengthsj and used as fire wood or for other'purposes and are generally considered to' be waste material: The slab or siding member 20' is formed with a flat inner face 2| and with a rabb'eted edge portion 22 along one longitudinal edge thereof. The opposite longitudinal edge of the siding mem'- ber 25} may be formed with a tongue as shown-at 23 in Figure 101 At the present time, the siding members I9 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of a siding member so that when it is desired to form a solid front wall I5, additional siding members may he slipped in between each pair of the spaced apart siding members l9.

A lower siding member 24 extends across the lower edge of the front wall l5, and may be of a width substantially equal to: or slightly greater than the width of the siding members I9. In the present instance, the lower siding member 24 is shown as slightly wider than the next adjacent siding member l9, and at substantially the longitudinal center of the lower member 24', a cutout or recess 25 is formed within which the lower portion or sill of the door frameis adapted to engage. A vertically disposed postor stud' 26 is disposed at one corner of the front wall 15, and is adapted to be secured as by fastening devices 21, in the form of nails or the like, to the outer end portions of the side members l9 and the outer end portion of the lower member 24.

A second post or stud 28 is secured by'fastening devices 29 to the siding members [9 on the opposite sides of the door frame, and the post or stud 28 also engages the rear side and is secured to each rear side of the lower siding member 24. A top rail or plate 30 engages the upper end portions of the posts 26 and 28, and is adapted to be secured to such posts by nails or other suitable fastening devices.

The plate member 36 is formed along the lower edge thereof with a rabbet 3| which extends outwardly from the inner face 32 thereof, and the plate 38 as shown in Figure 1 extends horizon- .tally across the upper edge of the door frame structure. A cornice construction generall designated as 33 is provided for the upper portion of the front wall I5, and includes a pair of outer cornice members 34 and a pair of inner or upper cornice members 35. The cornice members 34 and 35 are of like construction, and are formed with a molding-shaped forward edge or face 36 as shown in Figure 5, which terminates at its lower edge in a flat surface 31 having a groove 38 therein.

The molding member 33 is formed with a fiat right angularly disposed rear or inner face 39 and a fiat upper face 40. A right angular rabbet 4| is formed at the junction between the faces 39 and 40, the purpose for which will be hereinafter described. The upper plate 35, at

A head plate 44 is disposed in vertical position with the lower horizontal edge thereof contacting with the upper edge of the plate between the two lower cornice members 34, and the upper edge portion of the head plate 44 is disposed within the groove 38 and secured therein by nails or other suitable devices. The configuration of the head plate 44 is such as to provide what is known as a Dutch-roof.

A door frame generally designated as 45 is disposed between the confronting inner ends of the siding members I9, and between the plate 30 and the lower rail 24. The door frame 45 includes a pair of vertically disposed parallel posts 46 which are formed in their outer forward faces with an outer rabbet 41 within which the inner end portions of the siding members l9 are adapted to seat and to be secured by fastening devices 48. The lower end portions of the vertical side frame members 46 are connected together by a lower frame member or sill 49, and the upper end portions of the frame members 46 are connected together by an upper connecting member 50. An upper pair of doors 5| are disposed within the frame 45 being hingedly mounted on hinges 52. The outer edge portions of the door members 5| are adapted to seat in an outer rabbet 53 which is formed in each vertical frame member 46 opposite from the rabbet 41.

A lower pair of doors 54 are disposed below the upper doors 5|, being swingedly mounted on hinges 55 which are secured to the rear sides of the vertical door frame members 46. The frame members 46 are formed in their inner sides with a rabbet 56 within which the outer edge portions of the doors 54 are adapted to seat. The upper doors 5| are adapted to swing outwardly to an open position whereas the lower doors 54 are adapted to swing inwardly to an open position.

The rear wall I6 is formed somewhat similar to the front wall |5 being formed of a plurality of horizontally aligned vertically spaced apart siding members 51 which have convex outer surfaces on which the bark of the tree remains. The outer end portions of the siding members 51 are adapted to be secured by fastening devices 58 to rear corner posts 59 and 66. The back wall I6 may also be formed of a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced apart siding members 6| which extend across the full length of the rear wall I6. A window frame structure generally designated as 62 is disposed between the confronting ends of the short length siding members 51, and the frame 62 comprises a pair of vertically disposed parallel side frame members 63, a lower sill 64, and an upper plate or head 65. The vertical frame members 64 are formed in their outer edges with a rabbet 66 within whichthe inner end portions of the siding members 51 are adapted to seat, as shown in Figure 2.

The sill or lower rail 64 of the window frame 62 is adapted to engage on the uppermost edge of the long siding member 6|, whereas the head plate 65 of the window frame 62 engages against the lower edge of a plate or head member 61 which is secured at the opposite ends thereof to the upper end portions of the posts 58 and 60.

A cornice structure 68, similar in every detail to the cornice structure 33 and shown in more detail in Figure 5, is secured to the plate 61 and also to a head member 69, which extends upwardly from the plate 61. A pair of shutters 18 are hingedly secured on hinges 1| to the window frame 62, and the shutters 10 at their outer portions are adapted to seat in rabbets 12 which are formed in the inner edge portions of the vertical frame members 64. The front and rear walls I5 and I6 ma be initially constructed in separate sections or units so that the purchaser of the combined playpen and playhouse may easily and quickly set up the pen and house in the desired location. This combined playpen and playhouse is of fairly small size so'that it may be readily set up on a yard, and may be used with or without a foundation, preferably without a foundation.

The cornice structures or rafter plates 33 and 68 have mounted in the rabbeted upper portions 4| and 13 thereof,horizontally disposed parallel shingle strips or roof supporting elements 14. The opposite end portions of the shingle strip or roof supporting elements 14 are adapted to be secured in the rabbets 4| and 13 by fastening devices 15 in the form of nails or the like. The shingle strip or roof supporting elements 14 also provide a means whereby the upper end portions of the front and rear walls I5 and I6 are held in the desired spaced apart relation. It will be understood that if desired, a canvas roof structure may be thrown over the roof supporting elements or strips 14 in order to provide the desired watershed although if desired, any other suitable shingle or roof structure may be mounted on the strip members 14.

The side walls I1 and I8 are adapted to be disposed in outwardly spaced relation with respect to the vertical opposite edges of the front and rear walls I5 and I6 respectively, and initially constitute the outer or side walls of a pair of playpen areas, generally designated as 16 and 11.

The outer side walls I1 and I8 are of like construction and. are each constructed of a plurality of edgewise abutting boards 18, which are of a length equal to the distance between the front and, rear end walls I and I6. The boards 18 aresecured to a pair of vertically disposedjcorner posts I9 and aplurality of intermediate'studs 19a, which are positioned inwardly from the opposite ends of the boards I8. The twoposts 19 are spaced inwardly from the opposite ends of the boards I8 a distance substantially equalto the thickness of the end posts 26 and 28 so that when the side wall forming members IT and I 8- are disposed in the positions shown by the dot and dash lines inFigure 2, the posts 49 will substantially abut against the inner vertical faces of the posts 26, 28; 59, and 60. Lower and upper rails 80 and BI are secured between the tothe opposite ends of the studs 60.

' When the sidewall forming members I1 and I8 are disposed in outwardly spaced relation with respect to the outer vertical edges'of the front and rear walls, the side wall members I1 and I8 are secured to a pair of front and rear fence members generally designated as 82 and 83. The fence member 82 includes lower and upper rails 84 and 85 disposed in parallel relation, and a plurality of spaced apart vertically disposedpicket members 80 are secured by fastening devices 8'I, in the form of nails or the like, to the outer sides of the rails 84 and 85. The lower ends of the picket members 86 may be pointed, as at 88, so as to project a short distance into the surface of the ground in order to hold the combined pen and house structure against movement on the surface of the ground.

The picket members 86 are formed of slabs similar to the siding members 20. The outer end portions of the rails 84 and 85 are adapted to engage against the adjacent outer faces of the vertical posts 19- as shown in Figure 2. and. abut against the inner sides of the side forming boards contracted to form only a house as floor boards or the like. The picket members 89 may be used as sheathing for attachment to the longitudinal shingle strips I4.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is disclosed in fragmentary front elevation a slight modifii cation of the combined pen and playhouse where in the cornice 95 is constructed in inverted V form, as an A roof and a head plate 96 is formed of substantially triangular configuration to conform to the configuration of the cornice 95. In other respects, the structure shown in Figure 6 is similar in every detail to the structure shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 9 inclusive, there is herein disclosed a combined pen and playhouse wherein the pen extends rearwardly from the house structure, and the roof portion of the combined. pen and playhouse extends also over the pen. The combined pen and playhouse shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9 includes a front wall structure 91. a rear wall structure 98, a pair of side walls 99 and I00, and a pair of pen forming wall members IOI and I02.

The front wall structure 91 is similar in'every detail to the front wall structure I5, being formed posts19 and ofa pair of horizontally disposed slab members I03 which are secured to the outer ends thereof to vertically disposed posts or studs I04. A door frame I05, similar to thedoor frame 45, is secured to the inner end portions of the short siding' members I03, and the door frame I05 is formed'ofa pair of vertically disposed side frame members I06, which are formed in their outer faces with rabbets I 07 within which the inner end portions of the siding members I03 are adapted to seat. A sill or lower frame member I08- is secured between the lower end portions of the vertical frame members I 05, and an upper plate or head I09 is secured between theupper end portions of the vertical frame members I06. The frame members I08 in their front faces are formed with rabbets IIO within which a pair of upper doors I I I are adapted to engage. The doors III are hingedly mounted on hinge members I I 2. The inner sides of the frame members I05 are formed with rabbets I I9 in which apair of lower door members I I4 are adapted to engage. The door members H4 are hingedly mounted on hinge members I I5. The lower door members i I I4 are adapted to swing inwardly, whereas the upper door members I I I are adapted to swing outwardly.

The rear wall structure 98 is constructed similar in every detail to the rear wall structure I6, being formed of a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced apart slabs I I6, which are secured at their outer end portions to vertically disposed" posts or studs 1. A rectangular window structure II 8 similar in every detail to the window structure 62' is secured in the upper central portion of the rear wall structure 98, and a pair of shutters IIS are hingedly mounted on hinges I20 secured to the frame structure II8.

The shutters I I9 are adapted to seat in rabbets I'2'I- formed in the vertical sides of the frame structure II8, and the frame structure II8 is also formed with outer rabbets I22 within which the inner end portions of certain of the slabs IIIi are adapted to engage. A cornice structure I23 extends upwardly from the front wall structure 91 and a cornice structure I24 extends upwardly from the rearwall structure 98.

This cornice structure may be formed similar to the cornice structure 33 shown in Figure l, or if desired, may be similar to the cornice structure shown in Figure 6. A plurality of horizontally disposed spaced apart parallel shingle strips I25 are secured between the two cornice members I23 and I24, and provide a means whereby a suitable roof structure such as a fabric or fibrous roof structure or other suitable roof forming means may be mounted on the strip I25 in order to provide a solid roof for shedding water or preventing the entrance of bright sunlight. Rafters I25, may be secured to the strips I25 rearwardly of the front wall.

The side wall members 99 and I00 areof like construction, and are each formed of a lower rail I26, an upper rail I2! and a rear post or stud I28. Siding members I 29 are secured to the outer sides of the posts I28 the posts and also to intermediate studs IZB The siding members I29 are s milar to the siding members Ell-shown in Figure .10. being formed of slabs provided with a rabbet inone ed e thereof, and a tongue in the other edge-so that if desired, the vertically spaced apart siding members I29 may have additional siding members inserted therebetween to form a solid side wall structure. A pipe I30 may be secured between the upper rail I21 to support a swing or the like.

A playpen area I32 is disposed rearwardly of the rear ends of the side wall members 99 and I00, and in the initial formation of the combined pen and playhouse the playpen area I32 is disposed inwardly from the rear wall 99 which forms the rear wall of the playpen area I32. The siding members IOI and I02 form with the rear wall 98 a three-sided playpen area which has initially the rafter members I25 extending over the upper portion thereof. The pen side wall I02 is formed of upper and lower paralle1 rails I33 which, at their forward ends, are adapted to abut against the stud I28 and may be secured to the projecting end portions of the weather boarding members I29. The rear ends of the rails I33 engage against the outer side of the vertical posts or stud H1 and abut at their rear ends against the inner faces of the rear siding members I IS.

A plurality of vertically disposed parallel spaced apart picket members I34 are secured to the outer sides of the rails I33 and each picket member I34 is formed in one vertical edge thereof with a groove I35, and in the opposite vertical edge thereof with a tongue I36. The picket members I34 are adapted to be subsequently used as floor boards which may be secured to the rails I26 of the side wall members 99 and I00.

The pen wall member IOI is constructed of a pair of vertically spaced apart paralle1 rails I31 which abut at their forward ends against the adjacent stud or post I28 carried by the side wall member 99, and the rear ends of the rails I31 engage against the outer side of the adjacent rear stud member I I1 opposite from the pen wall I02. The rear ends of the rails I31 abut against the inner faces of the adjacent siding members I I6 as shown in Figure 8.

A plurality of vertically disposed spaced apart picket members I 38 are secured to the outer sides of the rails I31, and preferably the picket members I38 are substantially rectangular in transverse section, as shown in Figure 8, so that these picket members may subsequently be used to provide the material for forming at least a portion of the roof sheathing to be secured to the roof rafters I25 In the construction and use of the combined playpen and playhouse, shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the end walls I- and I8 may initially beconstructed as a unit, and the side walls I1 and I8 also constructed as a unit. The walls 82 and 83 of the playpen forming sections, are also adapted to be constructed as a unit so that the entire structure may be constructed at the factory in knock-down form, so that the purchaser and user of the device may easily and quickly assemble and set up the device in the desired portion of the yard or the like.

Where the purchaser of the device desires to make use of the playpen areas, the structure may be set up as shown in Figure 2. However, if at a later date it is desired to eliminate the playpen area and to form a playhouse which may have the front and rear walls thereof formed either solid or open, the side walls I1 and I8 may be moved inwardly to contact with the adjacent edge portions of the front and rear walls, and may be secured to the studs or posts 26, 28, 59, and 00. The rails to which the pickets 86 and 9| are secured may be removed from the pickets and secured between the contracted rails 80 of the side wall members I1 and I8. The picket members 86 may be cut off at their lower ends to 15 remove the points 88 and may then be used as sheathing for attachment to the rafters 14.

The tongue and groove pickets 99 may be secured to the floor beams which include the rails and the reset rails from the pen, forming walls 82 and 83. The number of floor forming pickets 9| may not be sufficient to form a solid floor so that the floor of the contracted playhouse structure may have open spaces therein, although if desired, additional tongue and groove boards may be used to provide the necessary solid floor.

The combined playpen and playhouse structure shown in Figures '1, 8, and Q-may also be constructed in sections, and if desired, this structure may be formed with the front and rear walls 91 and 98 in individual sections and with the side wall 99 fornfed with the adjacent side IOI of the pen area. The side wall I00 may also be formed as a unit with the wall member I02 of the adjacent side of the pen area. The roof rafters I25 are initially in loose form, but of desired length so that the purchaser of the knockdown house may easily and quickly assemble the several sections to provide the desired building."-

What is claimed is:

l. A combined playpen and playhouse comprising front and rear walls, each wall including a plurality of vertical studs, a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced apart slab members simulating logs secured to said studs, a substantially V-shaped cornice structure and a head plate secured to said cornice structure and extending upwardly from the uppermost of said slab members, a pair of vertically disposed side walls disposed in laterally spaced relation with respect to the vertical edges of said front and rear walls, and a pair of picket elements interpose between each side wall and the adjacent edges of said front and rear walls whereby to form with said side walls a pair of playpen areas outwardly from the opposite vertical edges of said end walls the slabs forming the front and rear walls of said playpen adapted to be removed andinserted in the spaces between the slabs forming the front and rear walls of said playhouse, to thereby form closed front and rear walls for said playhouse.

2. A combined playpen and playhouse comprising front and rear walls, each wall including a plurality of vertical studs, a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced apart slab member simulating logs secured to said studs, a

substantially V-shaped cornice structure and a head plate secured to said cornice structure and extending upwardly from the uppermost of said slab members, a pair of vertically disposed side walls disposed in laterally spaced relation with respect to the vertical edges of said front and rear walls, and a pair of picket elements between said side walls and the vertical edges of said front and rear walls, the pickets of said elements being removable for positioning between the slabs of said front and rear walls to thereby form a sub stantially closed playhouse.

3. In combination a playhouse comprising front and rear walls formed of spaced apart slabs and constructed in sections, a playpen on either side of said playhouse, said playpen being constructed of spaced apart slabs, and means whereby said latter slabs may be used to' entirely close the front and rear walls of said playhouse, closed side walls for said playpen, said side walls being so constructed as to be used as the side walls of said playhouse when it is desired to use the structure as a closed house.

4. In combination a knock-down playpen and playhouse constructed in sections and including individual front and rear wall sections, and a pair of individual side wall sections, said side wall sections adapted to form the sides for the playpen, and alternately to be used as the sides of said playhouse, a roof over a portion of said structure, each front and rear wall section including a plurality of studs, and a plurality of spaced apart slab members secured to said studs, the slabs forming the front and rear walls of the playpen portion of said device adapted to be removed and subsequently inserted in the spaces between said playhouse slabs, to thereby form closed front and rear walls to said playhouse.

5. In combination, a playpen formed of spaced apart slabs constituting the front walls thereof, a playhouse formed of spaced apart slabs constituting the front walls thereof, the slabs from said playpen adapted to be removed and fitted in the spaces between said playhouse slabs to thereby form closed front wall therefor, said playpen having closed side walls adapted to be converted into side walls for said playhouse, longitudinal rafters on said playhouse on which a covering may be placed to thereby form a roof for said playhouse.

6. A combined playpen and playhouse structure including front and rear walls, each wall including a plurality of vertical studs, a pluralill ity of horizontally disposed vertically spaced apart slab members simulating logs secured to said studs, a substantially V-shaped cornice structure and a head plate secured to said cornice structure and extending upwardly from the uppermost of said slab members, a vertically disposed side wall disposed in laterally spaced relation with respect to the adjacent vertical edges of said other walls, and picket elements between said side wall and the said vertical edges of said other walls, the pickets of said elements being removable for positioning between the slabs of said front and rear walls to thereby form a substantially closed playhouse.

'7. In combination a knockdown playpen and playhouse constructed in sections and including individual front and rear wall sections, and a pair of individual side wall sections, either side wall section adapted to form a side for the playpen and alternately to be used as a side of said playhouse, and a plurality of slabs forming the front and rear walls of the playpen, each front and rear wall section including a plurality of stud and a lurality of spaced apart slab members secured to said studs, the slabs forming the front and rear walls of the playpen portion of said device adapted to be removed and subsequently inserted in the spaces between said playhouse slabs, to thereby form closed front and rear walls to said playhouse.

SAMUEL L. DENNIS. 

